The Sweeney family of West Valley City pose for a photo at the Black Pioneer Monument at This is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City on July 22, 2022. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
Estimated duration: 7-8 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Black history in Beehive State predates the history of Latter-day Saints in the region, predating the arrival of the Saints by about 25 years.
In fact, African Americans like James P. Beckworth and Jacob Dodson participated in fur trapping and expeditions in Utah Territory. The group that arrived in Utah with Brigham Young in 1847 also included three black slaves: Green Flake, Oscar Crosby, and Hark Ray. They were the first free black settlers to settle in the state. By 1850, the census listed 24 “free men of color” and 26 black slaves in Utah.
From the early days of settlement, Utah had a small but vibrant black community whose contributions included farming and settling in the Mill Creek area and serving in the military at Forts Douglas and Fort Duchenne. . This includes the country’s first black general, Benjamin O. Davis Sr. — Expand railroads and mines in the state, and establish numerous businesses, churches, and social organizations, including the Salt Lake and Ogden Chapters of the NAACP.
Today, over 50,000 black Utahans live in the state, making up 1.5% of the population. Although small in number, Utah’s black community continues to have a significant impact on the state.
Below are a number of events and resources to honor the victories and challenges of the Black Utahns during Black History Month and beyond.
poetic justice open mic
The Black Cultural Center, the Utah Black Artist Collective, and the Union Programming Council will host an open mic night at 6:00 PM Thursday at the Union Theater in Salt Lake City. The public is invited to share their singing, poetry, comedy, and other talents.
Beloved Community Project Films and Panels
The film Beloved Community Project focuses on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a Beloved Community. In this community everyone is cared for and poverty, hunger and hatred do not exist. The panel will discuss where America is today and recreate his 1963 debate among civil rights leaders about the challenges faced by African Americans.
Films and panels will take place on February 13 from 2-4pm, followed by a reception at the Salt Lake Community College Redwood Campus in the Technology Building Auditorium. Click here to book your free ticket.
harem night
The Utah Black Chamber hosts an annual gala celebrating the Harlem Renaissance, an intellectual and cultural movement within the Black community of the 1920s and ’30s. The gala will be held on February 3, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Ken His Garf Scholarship Club in Salt Lake City. Attendees are required to come dressed in their best 1920s attire for an evening of dining, socializing, music, dancing and casino games. Tickets are available here, with proceeds going to the Black Success Center.
african american lead in
African American Lead-In is a national initiative aimed at making literature an important part of Black History Month. Salt Lake Community College is hosting a local African American lead-in on February 14th from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at its Taylorsville Redwood Campus. We will also deliver on Zoom.
Participants choose short works or excerpts from African-American authors to share with the audience. Individuals can register to read here. Black writers affiliated with SLCC will also share their own creative work that will be featured in a special issue of SLCC’s literary magazine, Folio.
Civil Rights Songs and Spirituals Concert
The Salt Lake Community College Chamber Singers will be joining award-winning baritone Robert Sims in concert on February 15 from 7:30-9:00 pm at the college’s South City campus. Evenings include African-American spirituals, civil rights songs, and other inspiring music. Click here to book your free ticket.
Black, Bold & Brilliant Film Series
The Utah Film Center’s Black, Bold & Brilliant series focuses on authentic and nuanced representation through film criticism and discussion led by Black Utahns. This month, the center will screen “Little Satchmo.” Louis explores her Armstrong’s life and legacy through her relationship with a daughter the public never knew existed. The screenings are for her on February 15th at 7pm and hers on February 16th at 11am, and the general public can book tickets for free here.
Take a sip and learn about black history
The Cocktail Collective hosts events focused on cocktails created by black American bartenders. The event includes hands-on cocktail lessons, take-home recipes, snacks, and a brief historical look at the cocktails and their creators. Registration is here.
Utah: Black and Open for Business
The Utah Black Chamber and its partners will host a hospitality suite and art exhibit at the Zions Bank Eagle Emporium Building in Salt Lake from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. February 16-17. Enjoy an exhibition featuring the work of New York native, Utah resident Diane Harris-Wright. The event will also offer hot drinks and other programs through our Chamber of Commerce partners.
mardi gras with mountain ball
On February 18th, the Leonardo Museum will transform into a New Orleans-worthy Mardi Gras ball. The event spans all three floors of her museum and includes the Queen’s coronation, regalia, live music and meals from local black eateries. This event is the signature event of the Utah Black Chamber. Tickets are available here.
Afro-Mexican Photo Exhibition
The Mexican Consulate in Salt Lake City is hosting a photographic exhibition titled “Beyond the Signs” by photographer Maricela Figueroa Zamilpa, who has documented portraits of everyday life showcasing Mexico’s cultural diversity since the 90s. This exhibit is dedicated to the Afro-Mexicans of Guerrero and Oaxaca, Mexico. Exhibits are available in English and Spanish and are open throughout February.
BYU “Perspective” Show
Brigham Young University celebrates and portrays the richness and diversity that exists between and within various black cultures in a variety of forms, including music, dance, fashion, gospel music, poetry, and life experiences with the BYU community. Hosts the show Perspectives. “His free show will be on February 17th at 7pm at the Wilkinson Student Center Ballroom on the BYU campus. It will also be streamed live on the BYU website.
WSU Black History Month Speaker
Weber State University will host a free keynote address by civil rights activist Fred Hampton Jr. on February 8 from 12:30-2:00 pm in the Shepherd’s Union Ballroom on campus. Hampton is the son of Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton, who was assassinated during the civil rights movement. Hampton Jr. is also president and chairman of the Prisoners of Conscience Commission and the Black Panther Party Cubs.
“One Night in Miami…” Movie Night
The Black Cultural Center at the University of Utah will be hosting a movie night and discussion on “One Night in Miami…” on February 22nd from 6-8pm. and Jim Brown. Click here to register.
Learn more about Utah’s black history
Beehive State has many resources on black history, including:
Don’t see the event? For more information about Black History Month events, please contact sgonzalez@deseretdigital.com.
